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New Camera: Kayaking and Wadefishing Florida's Big Bend
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Author:  Apalach [ Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  New Camera: Kayaking and Wadefishing Florida's Big Bend

I know some of you folks are inerested in fiinding a good waterproof camera for all-around kayaking, fishing, and maybe even sailing use. After researching all the weather resistant, waterproof, and underwater digicams out there, I finally found what is pretty close to the perfect small camera for wadefishing, kayaking, kayakfishing, and kayak sailing. It is the new Pentax 6 megapixel Optio W10 waterproof camera that can be submerged to a depth of 5 feet for a period of 30 minutes. It has the usual 3X optical zoom, but also has the 2.5 inch LCD viewing panel. It has a Class 8 waterproof rating and a Class 5 dustproof rating which is more than enough security for almost any kind of outdoor activities, including hiking/climbing/surfing/fishing/kayaking/sailing/snorkeling, etc. But what really attracted me to this camera was its far superior macro capabilities to just about any of the competition. Sure-all cameras now have what they call “macroâ€

Author:  ronbo613 [ Wed Jul 26, 2006 3:50 pm ]
Post subject: 

The photos look pretty darn good, the Optio seems like a good deal. I'm sure you'll rinse it off with fresh water when you're done using it, at least while it's still new! I use a china bristle brush to clean sand and dried salt out of the little gaps when it's dry. A very light film of silicone grease on the rubber seals and gaskets will help keep water out and keep the rubber supple.
When I have cameras on my kayak, I keep them in a ziplock baggie to keep water from splashing on the lens and ruining the photos. Wiping salt water with sand suspended in it off of your LCD screen and lens will scratch them up in no time.
30fps video is full speed video and at 640 X 480 resolution, that's not too shabby for such a small camera. I'd be looking at a 1 or 2 gig memory card though if you have movies in mind. A 2G card is less than $80-90, so it's not that bad.
Looking forward to seeing more photos. I love pictures, way easier than reading.

Author:  sunjammers [ Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:05 am ]
Post subject: 

The tarpons are on there way, they have been in and around Panama City Beach, I have been to busy to get out but have heard of good size schools on the 2nd sand bar. Put your mirage drive in backwards so you can add some resistance to the tarpon when your fighting them, or just hang on for the ride!

Author:  Apalach [ Wed Aug 02, 2006 9:17 pm ]
Post subject: 

Had an opportunity to further test the new Pentax Optio W10 waterproof camera on a pod of dolphin busting a school of mullet at Shell Point, FL last weekend.

In the first pic note the disturbed water, below which were two bottlenosed dolphin terrorizing a school of mullet. Note also the panicked mullet going airborne in an attempt to get away from their dolphin pursuers.

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When I saw what was going down, I began following the two pods of dolphins in the immediate vicinity to see if I could get a few action pics. When doing so, I try to approach the dolphin pods as quietly as possible so as to not disturb their hunting any more than minimally. This worked for me at Sebastian Inlet on the Atlantic during GAFFE I last December, and worked again this time at Shell Point on the Gulf.

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This was a pic taken just at the point a dolphin was breaking off its attack on the mullet school. It turned sharply to port and was headed directly at me, but as soon as it detected me it dove and passed right underneath the bow of my Sport to join up with its partner who had previously left the attack site. I always keep the flippers on the Mirage Drive folded up flat against the hull in these situations so as to avoid any possible contact with the dolphins as they go on their way.

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And finally, here was a broadside pic as one of the adults in the pods passed across my bow on its way to follow the mullet school to the next ambush point.

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